Sergeant George Richardson was born in 1765 in Benburb, Co Tyrone, Ireland. He was 5 foot 7 inches tall with hazel eyes, dark hair and was a Weaver by Trade. 

George previously served 7 years in the 17th (Leicestershire) Regiment of Foot. He was drafted into the 45th Nottinghamshire Regiment of Foot in the West Indies on the 25th May 1796 at the age of 31 years and was promoted to Sergeant the same day. George served at Buenos Ayres in 1807 and served in the Peninsula War of 1808-1813. On the 24th February 1813, he was discharged in Portugal due to old age, being at the time 48 years old. He began receiving his Chelsea pension on the 6th May 1813.